A deal for joint sovereignty over Gibraltar between Spain and Britain should be revived as Brexit looms, former Europe minister Peter Hain has said.

Lord Howard told Sky News that Theresa May would show the same "resolve" over Gibraltar as Margaret Thatcher had with "another Spanish speaking country" over the Falklands.

A Vote Leave pledge that Brexit would “protect” Gibraltar is being derided after diplomatic tensions with Spain spiked over the disputed territory following Article 50 being triggered.

EU guidelines make clear bloc will not overrule Spain in any trade or sovereignty dispute involving British overseas territory

The EU committee said the single market and cross-border travel were vital to the territory's economy, and warned the UK government not to let Spain use trade talks to claim sovereignty.

Gibraltar is in talks with Scotland about a plan to keep parts of the UK in the EU, BBC Newsnight has learned.

The actual impact of the leave vote is still uncertain, but today Gibraltar has felt the weight of its possible implications.

Some 250,000 Britons live in 14 territories, with many reporting fear and confusion as the Brexit deadline nears.